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Abstract. For many years flow-rate, temperature, ions and gases content data have been collected from a natural spring located in the Koryakskiy volcano area (Kamchatka, Russia). We have investigated the correlations between the hydrogeochemical data and the areal seismicity represented by the ks values (ks is a function of magnitude and hypocentral distance) of the earthquakes. At first we smoothed the raw hydrogeochemical data using a semi-triangle weight function. Then we compared the trends of each smoothed hydrogeochemical parameter with the ks trend using a running cross-correlation function with a maximum lag of ± 30 days and the main result was that, sometimes, we found 0.7–0.4 cross-correlation coefficients with no lag for flow rate and with + (10 – 15) days lags for some ion and gas contents. The correlation is positive, i.e. flow rate and ion and gas contents increase when ks increases. This phenomenology could be explained by an underground water pumping produced by some earthquake. We advance the hypothesis that this pumping could be the response of the viscoelastic underground medium of the Koryakskiy volcano to seismic waves. So, sometimes, the supply of elastic energy of the earthquakes may provide the trigger to a catastrophic nucleation of bubbles of this material producing a new melt with a lower density which will tend to expand and cause a pressure increase. This pressure produces a more intensive circulation of underground water and an anomalous increase of the flow rate and subsequently anomalous increases in groundwater ions and gases content.

This study aimed to test the effects of dietary Aloe vera and Symphytum officinale extracts added separately or in combination with symbiotics on the performance, nutrient utilization, serum biochemical parameters, biometrics, and intestinal histomorfometry of broilers. The experiment had a randomized block design with five treatments and six replicates of ten broilers each. Treatments were as follows: negative control and positive control (diet without and with antibiotic, respectively); 0.2% Aloe vera (AV); 0.2% Symphytum officinale (S); 0.2% functional supplement, composed of symbiotics fermented in Aloe vera and comfrey plant extracts (S+PE). At seven days of age, FI of birds fed the Aloe vera extracts diets were lower than that observed for birds consuming the diet with Symphytum officinale extract and S+PE. Broiler performance remained unaffected by treatments at others ages evaluated. At 10 to 14 days of age the lowest ADCDM ADCCP was shown in group feed NC. The highest ADCCP was observed in PC control group and in diets supplemented with Aloe vera and S+PE. Serum levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, and phosphorus were affected by addition of extracts at seven, 21, and 35 days of age. The longest duodenal villi were observed in broilers fed S+PE diets at seven days of age. Aloe vera and Symphytum officinale extracts and symbiotics can be used in broiler diets as an alternative to growth-promoting antibiotics.

Abstract. The energy released by the earthquakes occurred in the seismogenetic area of the southern Kamchatka (Russia) from January 1977 to December 2004, reveals an increase in the peak energy in the period 1992–1999. This increase is related to the occurrence of seven earthquakes with magnitude ranging from 6.9 to 7.7; the first of these earthquakes happened on 2 March 1992 with M=7.1. For many years, hydro-geochemical data have been collected with a mean sampling rate of three days, in the form of the most common ions and gases in the water of deep wells and natural springs of a network operating in the south area of the Kamchatka, where the capital city Petropavlovsk is located. The collected data were analysed and differences in the trend and in the spectral content of some hydro-geochemical parameters at the springs were pointed out before and after the occurrence of the March 1992 earthquake, indicating clear post-seismic effects. Then an evident increase in the Carbon Dioxide and in the Hydrogen content appeared practically at each measurement site during the two-four years preceding the earthquake, so that long term precursors can be claimed. Finally, an anomalous decrease in the Carbon Dioxide content at the springs was revealed two/three months prior the earthquake, as a middle term precursor. The earthquake on March 1992 was the event nearest (90–120 km) to the measurement sites that happened in last thirty years.

Abstract. Starting from 1992 geochemical data are being collected with a mean sampling frequency of three days in the form of the pH value and of the most common ions and gases in the groundwater in one deep well located in Petropavlovsk, the capital city of Kamchatka (Russia). On 1 January 1996 a strong eruption started from the Karymsky volcano, that is located about 100km far from the well, in the north-northeastern direction. At the same time, a large earthquake (M=6.9) occurred in the Karymsky area. On 5 December 1997 a very large earthquake (M=7.7) occurred offshore, at a distance of 350km from the well and towards the same direction. The analysis of the geochemical data shows clear variations in the raw temporal trends on both cases. For the first event, a clear premonitory phase appeared; for the second one, some pre-seismic variations could be revealed but permanent modifications of the chemistry of the water subsequent to the earthquake are very clear. In both cases the feature of the geochemical variations is consistent with an afflux of new water in the aquifer connected with the well and with an escape of the Carbon dioxide gas from the ground in different directions. A schematic model able to justify such a phenomenology and the connections of the geochemical variations with the previous tectonic activities is proposed.

Abstract. In February 2002, a receiver was put into operation at the Department of Physics of Bari University (Southern Italy) to record VLF-LF radio signals. The intensity and the phase of the signals transmitted by GB (f=16 kHz, United Kingdom), FR (f=20.9 kHz, France), GE (f=23.4 kHz, Germany), IC (f=37.5 kHz, Island) and IT (f=54 kHz, Sicily, Italy) has been monitored with a 5 s sampling rate. The intensity raw data averaged over 10 min, from February 2002 to April 2006, have been analysed. Several decreases of the electric field intensity of the radio signals with a duration of some days were revealed, generally occurring in not concomitant periods. The GE signal decreases systematically in winter and summer each year and so, it could be supposed that such decreases are related to the transmitter. On the contrary, all the other decreases pointed out are sporadic and the previous justification does not seem realistic. On the time occurrence of these decreases, the geomagnetic activity, the meteorological conditions in the receiver area and the regional seismic activity were investigated. The main result is that, generally, a pre or post seismic effect seems to give the most convincing justification. The effect seems to appear for earthquakes with magnitude M≥4.3, when the epicentres are within the third Fresnel zone of the radio signals or near enough to some radio path.

The identification of dairy cows with greater or lower potential to develop mastits has been pursued for many years among different segments of the milk industry, including governmental organizations. Genomic studies have suggested that Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) within the pattern recognition receptors (PRR) could lead to different responses to pathogens, and consequently result in mastitis resistance or susceptibility. To investigate whether toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) gene is associated with subclinical mastitis in Holstein cows from a property in the state of Goiás, Brazil, TaqMan allelic discrimination and somatic cell count were performed. One hundred and fifty milk samples were analyzed for SCC and centesimal composition. Twenty percent of those samples with SCC above 200,000 (n=13) were screened for real-time PCR identification of microorganisms and blood samples were genotyped for TLR4 SNPs. There was a higher prevalence of Gram-positive bacteria in the analyzed samples (88.9%) and animals that had the combined genotypes AACCCC, GGTCGG and GACCGC presented the lowest somatic cell scores, and consequently those genotypes have the potential to be applied as molecular markers for assisted animal selection to improve milk quality.

The identification of dairy cows with greater or lower potential to develop mastits has been pursued for many years among different segments of the milk industry, including governmental organizations. Genomic studies have suggested that Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) within the pattern recognition receptors (PRR) could lead to different responses to pathogens, and consequently result in mastitis resistance or susceptibility. To investigate whether toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) gene is associated with subclinical mastitis in Holstein cows from a property in the state of Goiás, Brazil, TaqMan allelic discrimination and somatic cell count were performed. One hundred and fifty milk samples were analyzed for SCC and centesimal composition. Twenty percent of those samples with SCC above 200,000 (n=13) were screened for real-time PCR identification of microorganisms and blood samples were genotyped for TLR4 SNPs. There was a higher prevalence of Gram-positive bacteria in the analyzed samples (88.9%) and animals that had the combined genotypes AACCCC, GGTCGG and GACCGC presented the lowest somatic cell scores, and consequently those genotypes have the potential to be applied as molecular markers for assisted animal selection to improve milk quality.

Abstract. On February 1996, a receiver able to measure the electric field strength of LF radio broadcastings, with a sampling frequency of ten minutes, was put into operation in a site (AS) located in central Italy. One of the broadcasting stations selected is MCO (f=216 kHz), located in southeast France, 518 km far from the receiver. The MCO data collected since February 1996 up to September 2004 were examined and, at first, the night time data and the day time data (in winter and summer) were separated. Then, the wavelet analysis on the night and day time data was applied. The main result of the analysis was the appearance of a very clear anomaly during summer (July–August) 1998, at day time and at night time. The anomaly is a strong exaltation of the signal components with period in the 25–40 days range. Theoretical calculations of electric field strength were made and the only way to justify this anomaly seems to be the occurrence of an increase of the ground wave propagation mode of the radio signal. Such an increase could have been produced by an increase of the ground conductivity and by modifications of some parameter of the troposphere, mainly the refractive index. On 15 August 1998 a seismic sequence started with 17 earthquakes (M=2.2–4.6) on the Reatini mountains, a seismogenic zone located 30 km far from the AS receiver along the path MCO-AS. In this paper, the possibility that the previous radio anomaly can be a precursor of this seismic sequence is proposed.

Abstract. We examined the groundwater Argon content data sampled from 1988 to 2001 at two wells in Kamchatka (Russia) and anomalous increases appeared clearly during June-July 1996. On 21 June, a shallow (1km) earthquake with M=7.1 occurred at a distance less than 250km from the wells and so the previous increases could be related to this earthquake and, in particular, could be considered premonitory anomalies. In order to support this raw interpretation, we analysed the data collected in details. At first we smoothed out the high frequency fluctuations arising from the errors in a single measurement. Next we considered the known external effects on the water of a well that are the slow tectonic re-adjustment processes, the meteorology and the gravity tides and we separated these effects applying band-pass filters to the Argon content raw trends. Then we identified the largest fluctuations in these trends applying the 3 σ criterion and we found three anomalies in a case and two anomalies in other case. Comparing the time occurrence of the anomalies at the two wells we found out that a coincidence exists only in the case of the premonitory anomalies we are studying. The simultaneous appearance of well definite anomalies in the residual trends of the same parameter at two different sites supports their meaning and the possibility that they are related to some large scale effect, as the occurrence of a strong earthquake. But, other earthquakes similar to the June 1996 event took place during the Argon content measurements time and no anomaly appeared in this content. In the past, some of the authors of this paper studied the Helium content data collected in three natural springs of the Caucasus during seven years. A very similar result, that is the simultaneous appearance of clear premonitory anomalies only on the occasion of a strong (M=7.0) but shallow (2–4km) earthquake, was obtained. The correspondence with the case of the Caucasus validates the interpretation of the Kamchatkian anomalies as precursors.

The objective of this study was to develop a fermented dairy beverage flavored with araticum pulp, assess its physicochemical characteristics, microbiological quality, and sensory preference by the consumer. Araticum pulp was prepared using two different methods: with or without bleaching (50 ºC/5 minutes). Formulations of fermented dairy beverages consisting of whey (50%), standardized pasteurized milk (50%), and seven different concentrations of bleached araticum pulp (5.0, 7.5, 10.0, 12.5, 15.0, 17.5, and 20.0% w/v) were prepared. In addition, seven formulations of fermented dairy beverage, without adding araticum pulp, and consisting of varying proportions of whey (40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, and 100%) were developed. In all formulations, thickeners/stabilizers were added. All araticum pulp samples (with and without bleach) and fermented dairy beverages (with and without araticum pulp) were analyzed for the relevant physicochemical properties: pH, titratable acidity, acidity of pulp, acidity of fermented beverage, moisture, ash, fat, protein, crude fiber, ascorbic acid, carbohydrates, total solids, and caloric values. Microbiological counts of coliforms at 35 °C and 45 °C in the pulp and beverage, and molds and yeasts and Salmonella sp. in the pulp were obtained. Additionally, sensory analysis regarding preferences of the different fermented dairy beverage formulations was also performed. The araticum pulp samples without bleach, showed higher values of pH, moisture, protein, total fiber, and ascorbic acid, as compared to bleached pulp samples, while bleached araticum pulp showed higher values for other physicochemical parameters. Microbiological results showed that all pulps and fruit-dairy beverages were suitable for consumption. It was found that there was no significant consumer preference between different fermented beverage formulations, according to the different percentages of pulp. However, the formulations consisting of 40, 50, 60, and 70% whey were preferred over the one consisting of 100% whey.

Following a request from the EU Commission, the Panel on Plant Health addressed the pest categorisation of the viruses and viroids of Vitis L. determined as being either non-EU or of undetermined standing in a previous EFSA opinion. These infectious agents belong to different genera and are heterogeneous in their biology. With the exclusion of grapevine virus 101-14.N.23.9.1/South Africa/2009 for which very limited information exists, the pest categorisation was completed for 30 viruses or viroids having acknowledged identities and available detection methods. All these viruses are efficiently transmitted by vegetative propagation techniques, with plants for planting representing the major pathway for long-distance dispersal and thus considered as the major pathway for potential entry. Depending on the virus, additional pathway(s) can also be seeds, pollen and/or vector(s). Most of the viruses categorised here are known to infect only one or few plant genera, but some of them have a wide host range, thus extending the possible entry pathways. Grapevine yellow speckle viroid 2, blueberry leaf mottle virus, grapevine Ajinashika virus, grapevine Anatolian ringspot virus, grapevine berry inner necrosis virus, grapevine deformation virus, grapevine fabavirus, grapevine red blotch virus, grapevine stunt virus, grapevine Tunisian ringspot virus, grapevine vein-clearing virus, temperate fruit decayassociated virus, peach rosette mosaic virus, tobacco ringspot virus, tomato ringspot virus meet all the criteria evaluated by EFSA to qualify as potential Union quarantine pests (QPs). With the exception of impact for the EU territory, on which the Panel was unable to conclude, blackberry virus S, grapevine geminivirus A, grapevine leafroll-associated virus 7, grapevine leafroll-associated virus 13, grapevine satellite virus, grapevine virus E, grapevine virus I, grapevine virus J, grapevine virus S, summer grape enamovirus, summer grape latent virus satisfy all the other criteria to be considered as potential Union QPs. Australian grapevine viroid, grapevine cryptic virus 1, grapevine endophyte endornavirus and wild vitis virus 1 do not meet all the criteria evaluated by EFSA to be regarded as potential Union QPs because they are not known to cause an impact on Vitis. For several viruses, especially those recently discovered, the categorisation is associated with high uncertainties mainly because of the absence of data on their biology, distribution and impact. Since this opinion addresses specifically non-EU viruses, in general these viruses do not meet the criteria assessed by EFSA to qualify as a potential Union regulated nonquarantine pests.

Following a request from the EU Commission, the Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of 17 viruses and viroids, herein called viruses, of Cydonia Mill., Malus Mill. and Pyrus L. determined as being either non-EU or of undetermined standing in a previous EFSA opinion. These viruses belong to different genera and are heterogeneous in their biology. They can be detected by available methods and are efficiently transmitted by vegetative propagation techniques, with plants for planting representing a major long-distance spread mechanism and, potentially, a major entry pathway. Depending on the viruses, additional pathway(s) can also be seed, pollen and/or vector transmission. Most of the viruses categorised here are known to infect only one of few related plant genera, but some of them have a wider host range, thus extending the possible entry pathways. Three viruses (apple necrotic mosaic virus, cherry rasp leaf virus, temperate fruit decay-associated virus) and one viroid (apple fruit crinkle viroid) satisfy all the criteria to be considered as Union quarantine pests. Five viruses (apple green crinkle-associated virus, blackberry chlorotic ringspot virus, eggplant mottled crinkle virus, tobacco ringspot virus and tomato ringspot virus) and one viroid (apple scar skin viroid), satisfy the criteria to be considered as Union quarantine pests with the possible exception of being absent from the EU territory or having a restricted presence and being under official control. The remaining six viruses (apple geminivirus, apple latent spherical virus, apple-associated luteovirus, Pyrus pyrifolia cryptic virus, Pyrus pyrifolia partitivirus 2 and Tulare apple mosaic virus) and one viroid (apple hammerhead viroid) were not found to satisfy one or more of these criteria. The Panel highlights that for several viruses, especially those recently discovered, the categorisation is associated with high uncertainties mainly linked to the absence of data on biology and distribution. Since this opinion addresses specifically the non-EU viruses, in general these viruses do not meet the criteria assessed by EFSA to qualify as a potential Union regulated non-quarantine pests.

The Panel on Plant Health performed a listing of non-EU viruses and viroids (reported hereinafter as viruses) of Cydonia Mill., Fragaria L., Malus Mill., Prunus L., Pyrus L., Ribes L., Rubus L. and Vitis L. A systematic literature review identified 197 viruses infecting one or more of the host genera under consideration. Viruses were allocated into three categories (i) 86 non-EU viruses, known to occur only outside the EU or having only limited presence in the EU (i.e. reported in only one or few Member States (MSs), known to have restricted distribution, outbreaks), (ii) 97 viruses excluded at this stage from further categorisation efforts because they have significant presence in the EU (i.e. only reported so far from the EU or known to occur or be widespread in some MSs or frequently reported in the EU), (iii) 14 viruses with undetermined standing for which available information did not readily allow to allocate to one or the other of the two above groups. Comments provided by MSs during consultation phases were integrated in the opinion. The main knowledge gaps and uncertainties of this listing concern (i) the geographic distribution and prevalence of the viruses analysed, in particular when they were recently described; (ii) the taxonomy and biological status of a number of poorly characterised viruses; (iii) the host status of particular plant genera in relation to some viruses. The viruses considered as non-EU and those with undetermined standing will be categorised in the next steps to answer a specific mandate from the Commission to develop pest categorisations for non-EU viruses. This list does not imply a prejudice on future needs for a pest categorisation for other viruses which are excluded from the current categorisation efforts.

Following a request from the EU Commission, the Panel on Plant Health addressed the pest categorisation of the viruses of Ribes L. determined as being either non-EU or of undetermined standing in a previous EFSA opinion. These infectious agents belong to different genera and are heterogeneous in their biology. Alaska vitivirus 1 and Ribes virus F were excluded from categorisation because these are very poorly characterised viruses. The pest categorisation was completed for seven viruses with clear identity and for which detection methods are available. All these viruses are efficiently transmitted by vegetative propagation techniques, with plants for planting representing the major pathway for longdistance dispersal and thus considered as the major pathway for entry. Depending on the virus, additional pathway(s) can also be Ribes seeds, pollen and/or vector(s). Most of the viruses categorised here are known to infect only one or few plant genera, but tomato ringspot virus (ToRSV) has a wide host range, thus extending the possible entry pathways. ToRSV meets all the criteria evaluated by EFSA to qualify as potential Union quarantine pest (QP). With the exception of impact in the EU territory, on which the Panel was unable to conclude, Actinidia virus X, blackcurrant leaf chlorosis-associated virus, blackcurrant leafroll-associated virus, black currant-associated rhabdovirus, blackcurrant waikavirus A and Ribes americanum virus A satisfy all the other criteria to be considered as potential Union QPs. For several viruses, especially those recently discovered, the categorisation is associated with high uncertainties mainly because of the absence of data on their biology, distribution and impact. Since this opinion addresses specifically the non-EU viruses, in general these viruses do not meet the criteria assessed by EFSA to qualify as potential Union regulated non-quarantine pests.